Improvement in suppositories



G. L. MITCHELL. Suppository.

No.213,677. Patented Mar. 25,1879.

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ATTORNEY.

ltPiTifli PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D O.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. MITCHELL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

EMPROVEMENT IN SUPPOSITORIES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,677, dated March 25, 1879; application filed February 12, 1879.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OEARLEs L. MITCHELL, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Suppositories, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the suppository embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sections thereof, respectively, with and without an absorbent filling. Fig. 4 is an end view thereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The objection to the use of the ordinary suppository is, that in order to moderately distend the canal, and thus act thoroughly on the mucous membrane, it is necessarily of such size as to produce, in melting, soiling of the clothes and person with the material of the suppository.

My invention is designed to remedy the aforesaid defect and consists of a suppository of hollow form, the material whereof is preferably flexible and readily soluble at the temperature of the body.

It also consists of a filling for sustaining the suppository and absorbing the melted substance.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the suppository, which is made hollow and open at one or both ends, and formed of a compound of gelatine and glycerine, or other substances that are flexible or elastic and soluble at the temperature of the body, the substance being properly medicated.

The cavity of the suppository is filled with an absorbent material, B, such as cotton or wool, and the suppository is then ready for use.

It will be seen that when the suppository is applied in position it is properly supported by the filling B, and as the medicament is a constituent part of the shell or hollow suppository, its action is effective. The temperature of the body causes the suppository to melt, and the filling B absorbs the melted substance.

The suppository is shown tapering; but the shape thereof may be varied, as may also be the size, substance, and inedieament, according to the circumstances of the case.

Salicylized cotton is preferred for the filling, as it effectually removes any unpleasant odor of the discharges.

Among the advantages of a hollow suppository are: The use of a large quantity of inert material is avoided, and the clothes and person are not soiled. The size may be larger than ordinary suppositories, so as to fully distend the canal to which it is applied, and thus cause prompt and thorough action of the medicament at the desired place. As it is flexible and moderately distensible, it may be altered in shape to suit varying cases by properly packing it with the filling. The filling acts as a tampon, to keep the medicated substance in contact with the desired spot, and at the same time absorbs the melted substance, as

CHARLES L. MITCHELL.

Witnesses HARRY SCHANDEIN, J. WILsoN IIOFFA. 

